Caterpillars Photo Gallery by Bev Wigney at pbase.com tree view | thumbnails | slideshow | map Caterpillars The following is a collection of a few of the caterpillars that I've photographed over the past few years. If you're interested in seeing my most recent photos, writing or other work, please visit my nature blog, Burning Silo . PLEASE NOTE: I do try to answer occasional questions on my insect photo galleries, but please understand that, in summer especially, I receive dozens of questions posted on my galleries asking me to identify caterpillars, wasps, butterflies, spiders, moths, etc... There is only one of me and I'm busy photographing insects and working on identifications for my own sightings each day. Also, I just moved into an old house that is in need of major restoration, so have little time to spend online trying to figure out IDs for other people's sightings. What I suggest is that you work on your own IDs, using my photos and also visiting websites such as BugGuide.net . By the way, in most cases, it's pretty much impossible to identify any insect or spider from a written description. Even with photos, it's very often impossible.

previous page Nature in the Dominican Republic including Mammals, Amphibians, Reptiles, Butterflies, Dragonflies Hispaniolan Hutia (t3) (He) (ph) (*) _____ (photo: 132-133) Plagiodontia aedium The Hispaniolan Hutia is the only surviving native rodent on Hispaniola. At least two larger-bodied species of Plagiodontia (P. araeum and P. ipnaeum) also lived on Hispaniola until humans came into the Caribbean region, and may have survived until European arrival in the 1500s, but both of those species are now extinct. The Hispaniolan Hutia is a member of the family CAPROMYIDAE. That hystricognath rodent family is restricted to West Indian islands. Other living hutias are still found in Cuba, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, in the genera Capromys and Geocapromys. Genetic studies suggest that Plagiodontia is the oldest living lineage within CAPROMYIDAE, with other hutias possibly diverging about 20 million years ago.

Plagiodontia aedium was described in 1836 by the famous French naturalist Georges Cuvier, the first scientist to demonstrate that extinction was a real process. The scientific name "aedium" refers to the local 19th century Haitian name for the species, "Rat-Cayes", or "house rat", so-called because hutias were apparently known for frequenting human habitations. Cuvier also noted that the hutia was very good to eat. Already, by the early 19th century, it had become very rare - making it an early species to be recognized as being in danger of extinction. By the early 20th century, the species was thought to be possibly extinct, until its rediscovery in the Samana Bay region of the Dominican Republic in 1923, by Dr. W. L. Abbott, a collector for the Smithsonian Institution.

Confusion regarding morphological differences shown by Cuvier's hutia specimen, and fossil hutia remains collected in the early 20th century, and the animals found in 1923 at Samana Bay, led to the thought that there might have been a second living species of hutia on Hispaniola, described as Plagiodonia hylaeum. Subsequent research has suggested that there are probably no consistent morphological differences between living hutia populations on Hispaniola. But, still, the identity and relationship of living Plagiodontia populations is unclear. The Hispaniolan Hutia resembles a giant guinea pig, with a scaly, naked tail. It takes 2 years to reach sexual maturity, and birth is given to only one or two young at a time. The species does have a wide diet that includes leaves, shoots, bark, and roots. It lives in either tree cavities or in limstone crevices. The Hispaniolan Hutia has been seen during some FONT tours in the Dominican Republic, in the southwestern part of the country.

For more information about the Hispaniolan Hutia, and the Hispaniolan Solenodon (below), and mammals that have gone extinct in the West Indies, go to the website "The Last Survivors" in the link below: Hispaniolan Solenodon (t2) (He) (ph) (*) _____ (photo: 136-139) Solenodon paradoxus The two species of solenodons in the world, in the family SOLENODONTIDAE, are in the order SORICOMORPHA, along with the shrews. The other species of solenodon is in Cuba. It, Solenodon cubana, is smaller than the Hispaniolan Solenodon. The two solenodons are the only surviving insectivorous mammals in the Caribbean. The endangered Hispaniolan Solenodon is one of the most unusual and ancient mammals on Earth. The species is thought to resemble ancient mammals that existed toward the end of the age of dinosaurs, over 65 million years ago. Also, the Hispaniolan Solenodon is one of the only two remaining endemic terrestrial mammal species on Hispaniola. The other is the Hispaniolan Hutia (above).

So unlike most of the other endemic land mammals that formerly occurred on Hispaniola, solenodons have managed to survive until now. The species was described to science in 1833. Still, even today, knowledge of its ecology and biology is fairly limited due to the animal's secretive nocturnal habits. Much of what is known about the Hispaniolan Solenodon is due to the research done by Dr. Jose Ottenwalder in the 1970s and 1980s. An unusual characteristic of the Hispaniolan Solenodon is that it is one of the few mammals that can secrete a toxic saliva in a manner similar to snakes. The ability to do so is from a mandibular gland along a grooved lower incisor. The distinctive elongated snout of the Hispaniolan Solenodon is joined to the skull by a unique ball-and-socket joint which provides considerable flexibility. The Hispaniolan Solenodon appears to have a rather widespread distribution across Hispaniola, occurring in a variety of forest habitats, from the lowland dry forest up to highland pine forest.

However, in its range, populations of solenodons are highly fragmented, and, as noted above, the species is classified as endangered. There is evidence that some of the populations of the Hispaniolan Solenodon are quite distinctive from others. As noted, solenodons are nocturnal animals. The spend the day in a den located in a rocky outcrop, a burrow, or a hollow tree. At night, they forage for invertebrates, primarily arthropods in the dirt, although they may also scavenge in rotten wood. During their nightly searches, they leave distinctive conical excavations in the soil. Called "nose pokes", they are almost 3 inches wide and almost 3 inches deep. Their main prey seem to be millipedes, ground beetles, crickets, katydid, cockroaches, earthworms, and snails. As to its native predators, the solenodon's size and nocturnal activity seems to suggest that it has only a few: the Barn Owl (and maybe the closely-related Ashy-faced Owl), the Stygian Owl (rare in highland Hispaniola), and the Hispaniolan Boa.

Also, the solenodon is now killed, rather often, by dogs, both domesticated and feral. The Hispaniolan Solenodon has been seen on a few occasions during FONT tours in the Dominican Republic, particularly during nocturnal tour outings for owls and other nightbirds. When seen, solenodons have been seen walking with their characteristic side-to-side waddle. (photo by Jorge Brocca) ______________________________________________ It has been said that as many as 22 species of bats have been known to occur on Hispaniola. 3 of them have become extinct or extirpated from the island: 1) a large unnamed Pteronotus 2) Mormoops megalophylla 3) Lasiurus intermedius Only 1 of the surviving bats in Hispaniola has been recognized as endemic to the island. 18 species are included here in this list. 9 of the species of bats in Hispaniola feed exclusively on insects. Greater Bulldog Bat (ph) _____ (another name is "Fisherman Bat") Noctilio leporinus Noctilio leporinus feeds on small fish swimming near the surface of ponds and lagoons.

However, during the rainy season when insects are especially abundant, it feeds on beetles, moths, and other flying insects. Noctilio leporinus is by far the largest bat in the Dominican Republic. It has a wingspan up to 3 feet. That of the second largest bat in the Dominican Republic is about half that - the Big Free-tailed Bat, with a wingspan up to 17.1 inches. The length (of the body & head) of Noctilio leporinus is 4.6 to 5 inches. In flight after dark, a Greater Bulldog Bat in the Dominican Republic (photo by Burke Korol) Parnell's Moustached Bat (ph) _____ (also called the Common Moustached Bat) Pteronotus (formerly Chilonycteris) parnelli Pteronotus parnelli is widespread in the Caribbean, and in Central & South America. In Hispaniola, as well as other places, it hunts great distances from its roost caves, searching for moths and beetles.

The Parnell's, or Common Moustached Bat Sooty Moustached Bat (nt) _____ Pteronotus quadridens hunts at great distances from its roosting caves, searching for moths and beetles. Antillean Ghost-faced Bat _____ (another name is the Blainsville's Leaf-chinned Bat) Mormoops blainvilli Mormoops blainvilli is a cave-dwelling species. It is an insect-eater that hunts for its food while flying very close to the ground. Waterhouse's Leaf-nosed Bat _____ (also called the Big-eared Bat) (photo: 342) Macrotus waterhousii Macrotus waterhousi is a beautiful bat that emerges from its roosting cave about two hours after dark and hunts for large insects on the wing. It also may feed on some fruits. Cuban Fruit-eating Bat (nt) _____ Brachyphylia nana is a cave-dwelling species.

Cuban Flower Bat _____ (another name is the Poey's Flower Bat) Phyllonycteris poeyi obtusa (subspecies in Hispaniola) Phyllonycteris poeyi, and some other small bats with long snouts, are generalists, feeding on soft fruit, pollen, nectar, and insects, depending on what is available. Able to forage over a wide variety of habitats, this species may be found on mountain slopes where food sources vary during various seasons of the year. Brown Flower Bat (*) ______ (also called Eastern Buffy Flower Bat) (species on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico) Erophylla bombifrons Erophylla bombifrons can form colonies of thousands. This, and some other small bats with long snouts, are generalists, feeding on soft fruit, pollen, nectar, and insects, depending on what is available. Able to forage over a wide variety of habitats, this species may be found on mountain slopes where food sources vary during various seasons of the year.

Leach's Single-leaf Bat (*) _____ (another name is the Greater Antillean Long-tongued Bat) Monophyllus redmani Monophyllus redmani occurs in the southern Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. It is a cave-dwelling species. This, and some other small bats with long snouts, are generalists, feeding on soft fruit, pollen, nectar, and insects, depending on what is available. Able to forage over a wide variety of habitats, this species may be found on mountain slopes where food sources vary during various seasons of the year. The wingspan of Monophyllus redmani is 11 to 12 inches. Its length (of its body & head) is 3.1 inches. Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat (ph) (*) _____ (photo: 343) Artibeus jamaicensis Artibeus jamaicensis is a specialist, feeding on large fruits with thick skins. To do so, it has big jaws, and also a flat face. The wingspan of Artibeus jamaicensis is up to 5.9 inches.

Its length (of its body & head) is 3.5 inches. Jamaican Fruit-eating Bats Cuban Fig-eating Bat _____ Phyllops falcatus (the single member of its genus) Artibeus flacatus is a specialist, feeding on large fruits with thick skins. To do so, it has big jaws, and also a flat face. Cuban Funnel-eared Bat (nt) _____ Natalus (formerly Chilonatalus) micropus Natalus micropus is an insect-eating bat that hunts on the wing while fluttering like a moth. Hispaniolan Greater Funnel-eared Bat (nt) _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola) Natalus major Natalus major is a cave-dwelling species. It is an insect-eater that hunts on the wing while fluttering like a moth. Mexican Free-tailed Bat (nt) (ph) _____ Tadarida brasiliensis Tadarida brasiliensis, are insect-eaters that fly high in the air. The wingspan of Tadarida brasiliensis is up to 11 inches. Its length (of its body & head) is 3.5 inches.

Big Free-tailed Bat _____ Nyctinomops macrotis Nyctinomops macrotis are insect-eaters that fly high in the air. The Big Free-tailed Bat has a wingspan of up to 17.1 inches. The length (of its body & head) is 5.5 inches. Pallas' Mastiff Bat (or House Bat) (ph) (*) _____ (another name is Velvety Free-tailed Bat) Molossus molossus Molossus molossus are insect-eaters that shift from high flying to hunting close to the ground. depending on insect abundance. Pallas' Mastiff Bat, or House Bat Big Brown Bat (ph) _____ Eptesicus fuscus Eptesicus fuscus are insect-eaters that feed slowly on the wing. The Big Brown Bat has a wingspan of up to 13 inches. Its length (of its head & body) is 5 inches. Minor Red Bat (t3) (ph) _____ Lasiurus minor Lasiurus minor roosts in trees. The species is an insect-eater taking its food both in the air and on vegetation.

In the Dominican Republic, it has been said to have been found at only 6 localities. Lasiurus minor has been considered conspecific with the Lasiurus borealis, the Eastern Red Bat. The length (of the body & head) of the Eastern Red Bat is 4.4 inches. This photo of the Eastern Red Bat, very similar to the Minor Red Bat (photo by Alan Brady) __________________________________________________ Aquatic & Marine Mammals As many as 13 species of whales and dolphins have been noted to occur in Hispaniolan waters. The most well-known among them are the Humpback Whale and the Bottlenose Dolphin. The Caribbean Monk Seal formerly occurred along the Hispaniolan coast. That species, Monachus tropicalis, is now extinct, having likely become so soon after 1952.

West Indian Manatee (ph) ______ Humpback Whale (ph) _____ (PHOTO AT THE TOP OF THIS LIST) Megaptera novaeangliae (the single member of its genus) Humpback Whale Hispaniolan Green Treefrog (t3) (He) _____ (photo: 276-277) Hypsiboas (formerly Hylo) heilprini Hispaniolan Laughing Treefrog (He) _____ (photo: 317) Osteopilus dominicensis Hispaniolan Yellow Treefrog (t2) (He/DRe) (ph) (*) ______ Osteopilus pulchrilineata A Hispaniolan Yellow Treefrog photographed during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in February 2012 (photo by Marie Gardner) Hispaniolan Giant Treefrog (t2) (He) _____ Osteopilus vastus Tuck-wheep Frog (He) _____ (photo: 250) Eleutherodactylus abbotti Eleutherodactylus aduanti (t2) (He) _____ (photo: 186) Barahona Rock Frog (t2) (He) _____ (

species described in 1971) Eleutherodactylus alcoae Eleutherodactylus apostates (He) _____ (photo: 188) Baoruco Hammer Frog (t2) (He) _____ (species described in 1933) Eleutherodactylus armstrongi South Island Telegraph Frog (t3) (He) _____ (species described in 1934) Eleutherodactylus audanti Northern Hammer Frog (t2) (He/DRe) ______ Eleutherodactylus auriculatoides Eleutherodactylus brevirostris (t2) _____ (photo: 189) Eleutherodactylus eunaster _____ (photo: 189) Yellow Split-toed Frog (nt) (He) _____ Eleutherodactylus falvescens Khaki Bromeliad Frog (t1) (He) _____ (species described in 1973) Eleutherodactylus fowleri La Selle Red-legged Frog (t1) (He) _____ (species described in 1963) Eleutherodactylus furcyensis Mont

ane Cricket Frog (t2) (He/DRe) _____ Eleutherodactylus haitianus Half-stripe Bromeliad Frog (t2) (He) _____ (species described in 1963) Eleutherodactylus heminota Baoruco Burrowing Frog (t2) (He) _____ (species described in 1965) Eleutherodactylus hypostenor Hispaniolan Tailspot Dwarf Gecko (HE/DRe) _____ (species described in 1993) Spaherodactylus epiurus Spotted Agave Dwarf Gecko (He/DRe) _____ (species described in 1988) Sphaerodactylus ladae Broken-Stripe Dwarf Gecko (He/DRe) _____ (species described in 1973) Sphaerodactylus leucaster Ocoa Dwarf Gecko (He/DRe) _____ (species described in 1977) Sphaerodactylus ocoae Martin Garcia Dwarf Gecko (He/DRe) _____ (species described in 1988) Sphaerodactylus perissodactylius Barahona Big-scaled

 Dwarf Gecko (He/DRe) _____ (species described in 1992) Sphaerodactylus plummeri Barahona Speckled Dwarf Gecko (He) _____ (species described in 1968) Sphaerodactylus randi Two-striped Dwarf Gecko (He) _____ (species described in 1970) Sphaerodactylus rhabdotus Haitises Banded Gecko (He/DRe) _____ (photo: 315) Sphaerodactylus samanensis Altagracia Speckled Dwarf Gecko (He/DRe) ______ (species described in 1968) Sphaerodactylus savagei Neiba Agave Dwarf Gecko (He/DRe) _____ (species described in 1998) Sphaerodactylus schuberti Hispaniolan Small-eared Dwarf Gecko (He) _____ (species described in 1977) Sphaerodactylus streptophorus Barahona Limestone Dwarf Gecko (He) _____ (species described in 1976) Sphaerodactylus thompsoni Dominican Leaf-toed Gecko _____ (species described

 in 1980) Phyllodactylus hispaniolae Ricard's Iguana (t1) (He/DRe) (*) _____ (photo: 58-59) (other names are Hispaniolan Ground Iguana and Banded Iguana) Cyclora ricordi Rhinoceros Iguana (t3) (He) (ph) (*) _____ (photo: 102) Cyclura cornuta A Rhinoceros Iguana during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in April 2012 Note the horns, hence the name "Rhinoceros".

(photo by Marie Gardner) Hispaniolan Boa (He) _____ (photo: 140-141) Epicrates striatus Liguus virgineus (no English name) _____ Pleurodonte escellens _____ (photo: 196) various land snails (some quite colorful) _____ (photo: 194-195, photo: 200, 340) Above & below: Some shells of land snails found during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in April 2012 (photos by Marie Gardner) These snail shells were in a forest of the Sierra de Baoruco, at an elevation of a few thousand feet above sea level. In that forest, the bird known as the Limpkin walks about, feeding on such shells. It occurs there no where near water, Limpkins in the Dominican Republic have virtually lost the ability to fly. They walk on the forest floor, like a large rail.

Cerion yumaense _____ (photo: 341) Polydamus Swallowtail (or Gold Rim) (ph) (*) _____ Battus polydamus polycrates (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola) Above & below: the Polydamus Swallowtail, or Gold Rim. in two photographs taken in the Dominican Republic The upper photo (by Rob Van Brussel) shows the marginal row of red S marks on the underside of the hindwing. The lower photo of the upperside (by Marie Gardner during the FONT Dominican Republic tour in April 2012) shows the "Gold Rim".

Zetides Swallowtail _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola) (species described in 1971) Battus zetides Hispaniolan Kite Swallowtail _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola) Eurytides zonarius (or now Neographium zonaria) Androgeus Swallowtail (or Queen Page) (ph) (*) _____ Papilo (or Heraclides) androgeus epidaurus An Androgeus Swallowtail during the April 2012 FONT tour in the Dominican Republic Dusky Swallowtail (also called Schaus' Swallowtail) _____ Papilo (or Heraclides) a.

aristodemus Machaonides Swallowtail (ph) (*) _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola) Papilo (or Heraclides) machaonides Two Photographs of the Machaonides Swallowtail during the FONT Dominican Republic Tour in April 2012 (photos by Marie Gardner) Scarce Haitian Swallowtail (ph) (*) _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola) Papilo (or Heraclides) aristor A Scarce Haitian Swallowtail during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in April 2012 (photo by Marie Gardner) Papilio (or Priamides) pelaus imerius Checkered Swallowtail (Hi) (ph) ______ (also called the Lime Swallowtail) Papilio demoleus The Checkered Swallowtail is a beautiful mostly Asian species that now occurs in the West Indies. Its native range is from the Middle East trough China to Japan, and in Australia.

A Checkered Swallowtail in the Domincian Republic (photo by Rob van Brussel) WHITES, YELLOWS, SULPHURS, & MIMIC WHITES (Family PIERIDAE) Tropical (or Florida) White _____ Leuce Yellow (ph) ______ (has been called Hall's Yellow) Eurema (or Pyrisitia) leuce memulus (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola) Leuce Yellow Eurema (or Pyrisitia) lisa euterpe A Little Yellow with a Cloudless Sulphur during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in April 2012 (photo by Marie Gardner) Eurema (or Pyrisitia) p. proterpia Pyro Yellow ______ (species endemic to Hispaniola) Eurema (or Pyrisitia) pyro Zerene cesonia cynops (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola) Subfamily DISMORPHIINAE Antillean Mimic-White ______ (was called Haitian Mimic) (photo: 309) Dismorphia spio Silver-banded Hairstreak (ph) _____ (has been called St.

Christopher's Hairstreak) Chlorostrymon simaethis With the lower photo showing how the butterfly can blend in with its surroundings. (upper photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen, lower photo by Rob van Brissel) Antillean (or Amethyst) Hairstreak ______ Hispaniolan Hairstreak ______ (species endemic to Hispaniola) (species described in 1988) Thereus abeja Anaea t.

troglodyta (nominate subspecies, endemic to Hispaniola) Hispaniolan Leafwing ______ (species endemic to Hispaniola) Memphis verticordia Johnson's Leafwing (ph) ______ (species on Jamaica & Hispaniola) Fountainea (formerly Memphis) johnsoni (photo courtesy of Shelley Hall) Red-striped Leafwing (ph) ______ (has also been called Red-and-black Leafwing) Siderone galanthis nemesis (copyrighted photo by Lisa Johnson) Archimestra ______ (species endemic to Hispaniola) Archimesra teleboas Dynamine serina zetes (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola) Caribbean Banner ______ Lucinia sida torrebia (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola) Red Rim (ph) _____ Pale Cracker (ph) (*) _____ (another name is Caribbean Cracker) Hamadryas amphichloe diasia Above & below: the Pale, or Caribbean Cracker, both photos in the Sierra de Baoruco in the Dominican Republic. In the lower photo, the cracker has landed on the ground instead of on the bark of a tree.

(lower photo by Marie Gardner during a FONT tour in April 2012) Florida Purplewing (ph) _____ Anetia p. pantherata (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola) Hispaniolan King (nt) (ph) (*) ______ (another name has been Jaeger's Anetia) Anetia jaegeri A Hispaniolan King photographed during a FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in February 2012 (photo by Marie Gardner) RINGLETS (Family SATYRIDAE) Often considered a subfamily of NYMPHALIDAE Sugar Cane Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, 2 subspecies) Calisto p.

pulchella _____ (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola where widespread) Calisto pulchella darlingtoni _____ (a montane subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Cordillera Central) (subspecies described in 1943) Yellow-banded Calisto (*) _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola; in the Dominican Republic, in the western Sierra de Baoruco) Calisto archebates White-banded Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola; in the Dominican Republic in the Sierra de Baoruco) Calisto chrysaoros Gali's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, 2 subspecies) Calisto g.

galii _____ (subspecies in the Dominican Republic in the Cordillera Central) (subspecies described in 1983) Calisto galii choneupsilon _____ (subspecies in the Dominican Republic in the Sierra de Neiba) (subspecies described in 1985) Wetherbee's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic, in the Cordillera Central) (species described in 1988) Calisto wetherbeei Dark Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the southwest Dominican Republic, near Las Abejas) Calisto loxias Tawny-washed Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Cordillera Central on the Pico Duarte massif) Calisto arcas Confused Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, widespread in the Dominican Republic) Calisto confusa Gonzalez's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Sierra de Yamasa north of Santo Domingo) (species described in 1988) Calisto gonzalezi Obscure Calisto (ph) (*) _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, widespread in the Dominican

 Republic) (species described in 1943) Calisto obscura The Obscure Calisto photographed in a forest near Barahona during the April 2012 FONT Dominican Republic Tour (photo by Marie Gardner) Saona Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, on the offshore islands Saona & Catalina) Calisto lyceius Cryptic Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the vicinity of Monte Cristi) (species described in 1985) Calisto crypta Francisco's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Valle de Neiba & the Barahona Peninsula to Azua) (species described in 1985) Calisto franciscoi Henderson's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic near El Limon, in Independencia) (species described in 1985) Calisto hendersoni Schwartz's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, near Aceitillar, Pedernales, & the Sierra de Baoruco in the southwest Dominican Republic) Calisto schwartzi Rabum's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, northeast of El

 Aguacate, Independencia) Calisto rabumi Tasajera Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Cordillera Central) Calisto tasajera Tragic Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic, in the western Sierra de Baoruco) Calisto tragius Yellow-stained Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Sierra de Neiba) Calisto clydoniata Clench's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic near the Massif de la Selle) Calisto clenchi Bates' Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, mostly in the northern Dominican Republic) Calisto batesi Godart's Calisto (ph) (*) _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the southwest including the Barahona peninsula & west) Calisto hysius A Godart's Calisto, a very small butterfly, photographed south of Barahona during the April 2012 FONT Dominican Republic Tour (photo by Marie Gardner) Correa's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the northern Cordillera Central) Calisto

 aleucosticha Neiba Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Sierra de Neiba) Calisto neiba Eleleus Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, most common in the Sierra de Baoruco in the Dominican Republic) Calisto eleleus Grannus Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, 2 subspecies) Calisto g.

grannus (subspecies in the Dominican Republic in the Cordillera Central, between 1150 & 2300 meters) Calisto grannus dilemma (subspecies in the Dominican Republic In the areas of Constanza & La Vega) Phoinix Calisto ______ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic at La Palma, in the eastern Cordillera Central, La Vega) Calisto phoinix Amazona Calisto ______ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the vicinity of Pico Duarte, in the Cordillera Central, from 1200 to 1900 meters) Calisto amazona Leonor Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic at Loma Leonor, Santiago Rodriguez) Calisto dystacta Micrommata Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the southern Sierra de Neiba, between 1600 & 1900 meters) Calisto micrommata Sommer's Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic, in the western Sierra de Baoruco) Calisto sommeri Michener's Calisto _____

 (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Cordillera Central) Calisto micheneri Enigmatic Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic in the Cordillera Central) Calisto ainigma El Rubio Calisto _____ (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic at Monte El Rubio, Santiago) Calisto neochma Celery Leaftier Moth (ph) ______ a Cramid moth, in the family PYRALIDAE Udea rubigalis A Celery Leaftier Moth photographed in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Black Witch (ph) ______ in the family EREBIDAE Ascalapha odorata The Black Witch has a wingspan as large as 6.3 inches.

Above & below: Two photographs of the large moth, known in English as the Black Witch; in Spanish as La Bruja. Both or these photos were taken in the Dominican Republic. The upper photo in March 2015. (above photo by Rob van Brussel) The lower photo here was taken in the town of Pedernales, by the border with Haiti. We have been in Pedernales often during FONT Dominican Republic Tours. (photo below by Burke Korol) Hispaniolan Giant Tarantula (ph) _____ (p. 296) in the THERAPHOSIDAE family Phormictopus cancerides (in the family Theraphosidae) On one occasion, during a FONT tour, as many about a hundred of these Hispaniolan Giant Tarantulas were seen crossing a stretch of road in the southwestern Dominican Republic. Phormictopus sp. (ph) ______ A species in the Phormictopus genus that is now in the description process. This is the same genus as that of the Hispaniolan Giant Tarantula (above, in the list) (photo by Burke Korol) Another, more colorful tarantula photographed in the Dominican Republic.

This species is smaller than the previous species in Phormictopus, about half the size. It was discovered in 2010, or thereabouts, by Antonio Tosto. He sent us this information in an e-mail, as well as a link to his website: (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Gray Wall Jumper (ph) ______ in the SALTICIDAE family Menemerus bivittatus A Gray Wall Jumper photographed in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Ansaitis sp. (ph) ______ in the SALTICIDAE family There are about 10 species of Ansaitis in the Dominican Republic, but it is almost impossible to determine the species without an examination of genitalia. Some of the Ansaitis species have been changed to be in the genus Corythalia, and some from Corythalia have been moved to Ansaitis. A species of Anasaitis, in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Lyssomanes antillanus (ph) ______ in the SALTICIDAE family Lyssomanes antillanus occurs in Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica.

Lyssomanes antillanus, in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Leucauge regnyi (ph) ______ in the TETRAGNATHIDAE family Leucauge regnyi, a female, in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Orchard Orb Weaver (ph) ______ in the TETRAGNATHIDAE family Leucauge venusta Orchard Orb Weaver, in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) World-wide, there are over 10,000 species of Orb Weavers, about 25 per cent of known spider diversity. Including both Leucauge venusta (above) and Mecynogea martiana (below). Mecynogea martiana (ph) ______ in the ARANEIDAE family Mecynogea martiana occurs in Hispaniola and Cuba.

A juvenile Mecynogea martiana, in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Black Widow (or, in Spanish, Viuda Negra) (ph) ______ Latrodectus mactans Latrodectus mactans, in the Dominican Republic (photo by Rob Van Brussel) Gossamer Wings Archives - Page 7 of 10 - What's That Bug? Location: Austin, Texas April 3, 2011 9:31 pm We found this caterpillar crawling across the road. Can you help ID it? It kind of looks like a Frosted Elfin or a Green Oakblue but neither of those is supposed to be in Cetral Texas. My sone is taking this to show and tell tomorrow (we will free it in the butterfly garden afterwards), so any help woudl be appreciated (not just for tomorrow). I’ll keep looking on the web.. Thanks Great Purple Hairstreak Caterpillar Dear Karyn and Erik, Sorry, we are stumped as well. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to have any distinguishing features. Hi Daniel, Thanks so much anyway.

The only feature I could see is what looked like two tiny eyes/ eye shapes close together that both formed the shape of a diamond on the top of the head. I have more pictures of the underside and snout, I could send you if you would like. I will keep looking on the web too. Have a good day, Great Purple Hairstreak Caterpillar Hi Daniel, Butterflies and Moths of North America Butterflies and Moths of North America Butterflies and Moths of North America While butterflies please many onlookers, their related counterparts - moths - are generally viewed as pesky insects. Butterflies (and the related Skippers) are the quintessential summertime insect across North America, representing 760 complete species while a full 12,000 are known to roam North America and some 165,000 have been categorized worldwide. Moths are similar creatures and their differences abound but all of these insects fall under the encompassing order name of Lepidoptera. Similarities between Butterflies and Moths include their scale-like hairs that cover their respective bodies and deliver their various recognizable patterns and colors along the wings that we see.

Nearly all species have a long, coiled tongue known as a proboscis which allows them to suck nectar and pollen (among other food sources depending on species). Why are Butterflies and Moths grouped together on this page? Because they are scientifically categorized under the same Kingdom, Phylum, Class and Order and very closely related to one another. There are a total of (105) Butterflies and Moths of North America in the Insect Identification database. Entries are listed below in alphabetical order. User Tip: Click on the "X" found on each entry below to hide specific bugs from this page's listing. You will be able to narrow down the results to better help identify your bug! Please wait while all 105 records are loaded into this space. BUGFINDER: Helping You Identify Those Creepy-Crawly Things... BUGFINDER allows for a quick search of the Insect Identification database by selecting primary color, secondary color, number of legs and the territory / state in question. If only one color is present on your insect, select it again as its SECONDARY color. Remember that the more details you can offer, the better your chances of finding a match.

As a rule of thumb, six legs are typical for most insects whereas spiders generally have eight legs. Primary Color: Butterflies - Camouflage & Disguise Camouflage and Disguise Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi at rest on green foliage � Adrian Hoskins Butterflies use many means to hide themselves from predators . Sometimes, as with the neotropical metalmarks ( Riodinidae ), they simply hide under leaves, out of sight. Most other species rest in more open situations though, and conceal themselves using techniques such as camouflage, disguise, disruptive coloration or transparency. The boundary between camouflage and disguise is hard to define, but camouflage is generally considered to describe something with a colour, pattern and texture that enables it to blend well against a natural background or substrate. Butterflies rest on many different substrates including foliage, soil, rocks and tree trunks - and various species possess colours and patterns which match each of these backgrounds. Disguise on the other hand describes a butterfly or moth that has a similar appearance to another natural object, such as a leaf or flower. Moths often have very effective disguises - some which rest on tree trunks resemble bits of lichen, others resemble bits of broken twig.

The caterpillars of many Geometrid moths look exactly like twigs, and even have small projecting false "thorns". Camouflage Amongst British butterflies the Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines is a good example, difficult to spot when at rest on the white flowers of garlic mustard. Anthocharis cardamines, camouflaged at rest on garlic mustard flowers � Adrian Hoskins Disguise The Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni, is a superb example of disguise, being coloured and shaped like a living leaf, complete with raised "veins". Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni, perfectly disguised as a leaf � Adrian Hoskins In the tropics there are many species which are disguised as dead brown leaves - examples include the Leaf butterfly Kallima inachus from India, and the Memphis and Marpesia Leafwing butterflies of South America. Zaretis itys, a Peruvian species convincingly disguised as a dead leaf � Adrian Hoskins Disruptive coloration This term is used to describe the way in which a butterfly or moth's appearance is visually broken up, usually by means of mottling and / or prominent lines.

The Angle Shades moth Phlogophora meticulosa is a good example - it is equally well concealed when settled amongst dead vegetation or fallen branches. Predators - particularly birds, use a "search image" to locate resting moths. They look out for a "moth shaped" object, but the disruptive pattern of the Angle Shades breaks up it's outline and foils the bird's search image. Angle Shades moth Phlogophora meticulosa, Hampshire, England � Adrian Hoskins Hylephila peruana, a skipper from Peru. The disruptive patterning makes it very difficult to detect amongst the dry grasslands of it's habitat in the Andes � Adrian Hoskins Grayling Hipparchia semele, perfectly disguised at rest on dead wood � Adrian Hoskins Transparency The colours of butterflies are produced either by pigments in the wing-scales, or structurally by light refracting on prism-like ridges on the surface of the scales. Some species however are very thinly scaled or lack wing scales almost entirely, revealing the transparent membrane of the wings.

Butterflies which use transparency to conceal themselves include Ithomiine Glasswings and certain neotropical Satyrines such as Cithaerias pireta and Dulcedo polita. There are also representatives from other families, e.g. Chorinea ( Riodinidae ) and Lamproptera ( Papilionidae ). Cithaerias pireta aurora, Cocha Camunga, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru � Adrian Hoskins Vein structure of a transparent Satyrine butterfly Haetera piera � Tony Hoare

Question: What type of creature is a hairstreak?
Answer: Butterfly